The Missouri Honor Flight has given many local World War II Veterans a well deserved trip to Washington D.C. to recognize and thank them for their service.
Fred Oerly was on the June 2010 Honor flight. Fred served from 1944 until the wars end. Fred's medals include a bronze star and a purple heart.
Fred is carving a change and now he says it is a Veterans turn to show some gratitude.
Fred has spent two years hand carving and painting over 100 life sized cardinals for the volunteers of the June 2010 Honor flight.
He told us, "I wanted to say thank you to those person who volunteer and work with these people who make this trip that is possible for all Veterans."
Fred said he had good reason behind choosing a Cardinal, "I’m pretty well pleased that the St. Louis Cardinals are champions of the world."
Honor Flight Guardian, John Schuster was one of the 112 people gifted with a carved Cardinal.
John said, "Its just amazing that he would take the time to do that and say thanks but truly it was an honor. The Thanks goes to the World War II Veterans."
John told us he was dedicating his new Cardinal to his World War II Veteran father-in-law who never got to experience an Honor Flight.
Fred's carved Cardinals are a great symbol for Missouri World War II Veterans that had a hand in soaring our country to freedom.
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKRCG